Caterpillar
Cat 250
The Cat 250 is the entry point to Caterpillar's next-generation wheeled skid steer line, launched in late 2024 alongside the 260 and 270. The C2.8T engine delivers 74 hp with peak power held across a wide RPM range, and its 124-inch lift height is 3 inches taller than the outgoing D3 machines it supersedes.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓The 2,689 lb rated operating capacity essentially matches the bigger 262D3 it helps replace, so buyers get medium-frame lifting numbers in a lighter, cheaper package.
- ✓At 7,829 lbs it tows comfortably on a standard 10k equipment trailer with attachments, a practical advantage owners highlight over the heavier 260 and every CTL.
- ✓The new C2.8T holds its 74 hp across a wide RPM band with a big torque gain over the old D3 engines, and operators say it lugs through pushing and grading work without the constant downshifting feel.
- ✓The 124-inch bucket pin height is 3 inches taller than the outgoing machines, enough to clear the sideboards on most tandem dump trucks.
- ✓No DEF system thanks to the sub-75 hp rating means one less consumable and no SCR sensors to fail, a real reliability plus for high-hour fleet duty.
- ✓The 8-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, and standard Product Link telematics bring fleet-management features to a price class where competitors still charge extra.
Cons
- ✗Standard auxiliary flow is 20 GPM versus 23 GPM on the old 262D3, so some attachments that ran fine on the D3 need the High Flow enablement on the 250.
- ✗The next-gen price premium is real - it lists thousands above the equivalent outgoing D3, and budget buyers note Bobcat's S66 and Case's SR-series undercut it.
- ✗Wheeled machines still can't follow CTLs onto soft or muddy ground, and buyers in wet climates increasingly skip straight to the 255 despite the higher price.
- ✗As the smallest of the new wheeled line it shares its frame with the 260, so it gives up capacity to its sibling while costing only moderately less - several reviewers call the 260 the better value.
- ✗Early-production software glitches with the touchscreen and displays showed up across the next-gen line, and fixes require a dealer visit rather than an owner reset.
- ✗The electronics-rich platform makes DIY troubleshooting harder than the D3s, effectively increasing dependence on Cat dealer service at whatever rates they charge.
Common Questions
Should I buy the Cat 250 or spend more on the 260?
Will my existing attachments run on the 250's hydraulics?
Does the Cat 250 need DEF?
Any teething issues with the next-gen platform?
Is it easy to transport?
Compare the Cat 250
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